It is that time of year when people, especially teenagers, begin to decide if they want to trick or treat. Some might believe that they are too old for this activity, while others are more than prepared for the annual search for free candy. Will people continue to embrace this tradition?
Yes- candy, costumes, and more!
For some people, Halloween is a holiday to look forward to, for a multitude of reasons. Even a month before, neighbors are setting up their elaborate decorations, investing heavily into this day. In fact, in 2021, a record 10.1 billion dollars was spent by Americans for Halloween. Costumes are always an important part of the tradition, and kids can dress up as their favorite science-fiction characters.
Trick-or-treating is an activity that binds people together. Parents taking their kids door-to-door certainly enjoy the smiles on their faces as the candy baskets fill to the brim. Large friend groups can travel together and spend the evening trading their treats or egging the houses that they dislike.
Although the idea of this candy adventure around the neighborhood is extremely fun, part of its value is the lessons that it teaches. Trick-or-treating can improve the emotional and social skills of children, as well as their manners. The aspect of fear, specifically death, that is implemented in this holiday is subtle yet still important. Halloween in a sense is a friendly way to introduce kids to these topics. We all believe that death is inevitable, so why don’t we eat all the candy that we can before we die?
No- taking candy from strangers is not really my thing…
The horror aspect that was originally a part of Halloween has decreased significantly, making it more about the “treat” rather than the “trick.” For the most part, kids do not realize the significance of the holiday. It originally came from the Celtic holiday Samhain, where people did all sorts of outlandish things to ward off evil spirits. The only modern-day trick left around may have to do with candy tampering. Even then, CBC reports in “Trick or Truth? The Real Story Behind Halloween Candy Tampering” that no children have been seriously injured or died from blades, sewing needles, or even poison in their candy. As to drugs though, it still is not recommended to take candy from a vendor on the streets of New York City, even if you can trust your neighbors.
Parents have other concerns too, such as their children learning bad behaviors from older kids, getting lost, or falling and hurting themselves-children deserve independence, but only if they want it. Why dress up in a funky costume that you have to explain to everyone? Unless you enjoy doing that, or really like candy, Halloween is not worth it.
These are only some of the conclusions that can be drawn from the controversy of trick-or-treating. Really, it is your decision whether you step into the adventure waiting outside of the door on October 31st or if you choose to stay inside.
